By Alexis Demopoulos
Worcester Railers JHC forward Jimmy Lyver is thrilled to announce his NCAA Division III commitment to Connecticut College for the 2025-26 season.
Lyver, a Grafton, Mass., native, joined the Railers in the beginning of January and has thrived ever since. In 22 games played so far, Lyver has 18 points (9G, 9A) and has been a key member of the Railers second half success, which included their first NCDC playoff berth.
“I chose to join the Railers because I felt it would provide me the best opportunity to be recruited, and coach Bertoni’s dedication to his players really stood out to me,” said Lyver. “His passion for the game and his commitment to helping players reach their goals are truly inspiring.”
Lyver first got in touch with Connecticut College Head Coach Jim Ward in December and the talks of him being recruited really took off.
“I’ve heard nothing but positive things about coach Ward,” said Lyver. “He’s been incredibly supportive throughout the process. I believe he appreciates my versatility as a two-way forward.”
The hockey program and the small class sizes were big selling points for Lyver and he knew Connecticut College was going to be the place for him. He plans on majoring in economics with a minor in finance, but is open to explore his options.
“I was immediately drawn to the rink, the campus, and the strong academic programs,” said Lyver. “The small class sizes really stood out to me, as they create a more personalized learning environment. It just felt like a great place to call home for the next four years.”
“Coach Ward’s tour gave me a great sense of what my daily life at Connecticut College would be like,” added Lyver. “I loved the campus and the classrooms, which are small and foster a more intimate learning environment. I really value the opportunity to be more engaged in each class.”
Lyver believes that winning faceoffs is one of his strongest abilities and he takes pride in being reliable in the circle. But to prepare for the next level, he is hoping to make some adjustments to improve his play.
“I’m focusing on simplifying my game,” said Lyver. “Hockey isn’t always about making the flashiest plays, so I’m working on being more strategic with puck decisions—whether it’s dumping the puck in or making a simple chip pass. These adjustments will help me become more effective in the long run.”
With his commitment secured and his team locked in for playoff spot, Lyver is hoping to help his team go on a deep run.
“My focus is on playing my best in the playoffs and helping my team go as far as possible,” said Lyver. “I also want to support my teammates as they work toward securing their own NCAA commitments. There’s nothing like the intensity of playoff hockey.”
The NCDC congratulates Jimmy Lyver, his family, the Worcester Railers JHC and Connecticut College for his commitment.
